MEN'S SOCCER REMAINS PERFECT WITH 2-0 VICTORY OVER LIU
8/31/2008
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Redshirt freshman Chris Bettencourt and junior transfer Scott Crandall each scored a goal, as the Sacramento State men's soccer team defeated Long Island by a score of 2-0.
With the win, the Hornets improved to 2-0-0 on the season, while the Blackbirds fell to 0-2-0. The Hornets took second in the Copa de Causeway, as both Sacramento State and UC Davis finished the tournament with two victories, but the Aggies owned the third tiebreaker, goals for, scoring four goals on the weekend to the Hornets three. Cal State Bakersfield, who fell to UC Davis 1-0 in Sunday's other matchup, finished in third place, holding the goal differential tiebreaker over LIU, who finished fourth.
Sacramento State got off to a fast start offensively, but were unable to put a goal between the posts, as the Hornets had four corner kicks in the first six minutes in the game, resulting in five shots including two on frame. From there, the first half became a midfield battle, with LIU rallying to outshoot the Hornets for the remainder of the stanza 4-2. Both teams went into intermission deadlocked at 0-0.
Following halftime, the game picked up in terms of physicality, as 20 fouls were whistled in the second 45 minutes, including 15 called against the Blackbirds. The Hornets outshot LIU 18-5 in the second half, but would not find the back of the net until late in the half. Senior defender Omar Martinez took a Hornet free kick and booted a perfect cross from 25 yards out that found the head of Chris Bettencourt, who directed it into the back of the net past Blackbird 'keeper Adam Janssen in the 76th minute, giving the Hornets a 1-0 advantage.
Insurance would come a scant four minutes later, as in the 80th minute sophomore Fernando Cabadas directed a cross from the right side of the 18 to the far post that found the foot of Crandall, who punched it into the back of the net for a 2-0 Hornet advantage. The Hornets were able to hold on to pick up their second straight shutout victory.
Sacramento State posted 25 shots to the Blackbirds nine chances, with Chris Bettencourt leading all players with seven shots, including three on frame. Senior Blake Nunes, who scored the game-winner against Cal State Bakersfield Friday night, took six shots including two on goal, while senior Josh Zimbrich took four shots and had two on frame. Jukka Lehto, Frank Alesci and Steve Jakubowski each posted two shots apiece to pace LIU.
Hornet freshman 'keeper Bryan Oliver posted his second clean sheet to begin his career, saving four shots sent his way during the 90 minutes of play. Janssen had six saves for the Blackbirds, while his defensive back-line also produced a team save.
Followed the contest, the Copa de Causeway all-tournament team was announced, with three Hornets receiving honors. Chris Bettencourt, Martinez and Blake Nunes were selected to the squad, with Bettencourt and Nunes each providing game-winning goals and Martinez a game-winning assist.
The Hornets travel to Moraga, Calif. next weekend to take part in the Saint Mary's Tournament. Sacramento State will take on UC Irvine on Friday, Sept. 5 at 2 p.m.in the first game of the tournament, and will finish with a game against Houston Baptist on Sunday, Sept. 7 at noon.
The complete all-tournament team is listed below.
COPA de CAUSEWAY ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
F Quincy Amarikwa UC Davis F Blake Nunes Sacramento State
F Peter Huijgen LIU
MF Ian Conklin UC Davis
MF Chris Beville UC Davis MF Chris Bettencourt Sacramento State
D Jordan Vanderpoorten UC Davis
D Frank Jutice LIU
D Wayne Lampart CSUB D Omar Martinez Sacramento State
GK Steve Trojanowskiw CSUB
